Factors Affecting Farmers Carrying Out The Function Of Rice Fields (Oryza Sativa L.) Into Non-agricultural Land (case: Sunggal Kanan Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency
Introduction
The conversion of paddy fields into non-agricultural land is a pressing issue in many rural areas, including Sunggal Kanan Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency. This phenomenon not only affects the agricultural sector but also has significant environmental and social implications. In this article, we will explore the factors that contribute to the conversion of paddy fields and the economic impact of this conversion on farmers.
Factors Affecting Land Function
Research has identified several factors that encourage farmers in Sunggal Kanan Village to change the function of their paddy fields. These factors include:
Age
Older farmers tend to be more easily tempted to sell their land because they find it difficult to manage paddy fields intensively. As farmers age, they may experience physical limitations that make it challenging to maintain their land. This can lead to a decrease in productivity and a loss of motivation to continue farming.
Education
A higher level of education opens opportunities for farmers to find alternative jobs in the non-agricultural sector. This can lead to a decrease in the number of farmers who continue to work on their paddy fields. Education can provide farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to transition to other industries, making it easier for them to sell their land.
Farming Experience
Ironically, old farming experience can actually trigger the desire to sell land. Farmers who have long farmed may feel tired with tiring and less profitable jobs, so they choose to switch to other businesses. This can be due to the physical demands of farming or the lack of financial rewards.
Number of Family Dependents
Economic pressure due to the number of family dependents encourages some farmers to sell their land to get fast profits. When farmers have a large family to support, they may feel the need to generate income quickly, leading them to sell their land.
Land Productivity
Land that is less productive due to various factors such as land degradation, lack of water access, and disease pests, can make farmers lose motivation to continue to work on land. When land is not productive, farmers may feel that it is not worth the effort to maintain it.
Land Area
Farmers with relatively small land tend to be more easily tempted to sell their land because the profits derived from farming are considered not comparable to the costs and energy incurred. Small landholdings can make it difficult for farmers to generate sufficient income to support themselves and their families.
Regression Analysis Shows a Significant Impact
Regression analysis shows that factors such as age, education, farming experience, number of family dependents, land productivity, and land area together have a significant influence on land conversion in Sunggal Kanan Village. This suggests that a combination of these factors contributes to the conversion of paddy fields.
Partial Regression Analysis Shows Individual Factors Have a Significant Influence
Partial regression analysis shows that age, experience farming, productivity, and land area individually also have a significant influence on farmers' decisions to sell their paddy fields. This indicates that each of these factors plays a significant role in the conversion of paddy fields.
Economic Impact: Decrease in Farmers' Income
This research also examines the economic impact of land conversion. The T test results show that farmers' income significantly decreased after land conversion, with an average decrease of Rp. 2,084,176 per month. This shows that land conversion does not always bring economic benefits to farmers.
Implications and Solutions
Data obtained in this study have important implications for various parties:
Government
The government needs to pay attention to policies that support the sustainability of paddy fields and encourage increased productivity of agricultural land, as well as providing training and access to farmers to be able to compete in the modern era.
Community
It is essential to increase public awareness of the importance of paddy fields as a source of food and the environment.
Farmers
It takes efforts to increase farmers' knowledge and skills in managing paddy fields on a sustainable manner, as well as increasing the ability to adapt to the changing times.
Solution to Overcome Land Conversion
Increasing Farmers' Income
The government and related parties can provide assistance and training to farmers to increase the productivity of their paddy fields, such as modern agricultural technology and access to quality fertilizers and pesticides.
Providing Alternative Livelihoods
Agricultural business diversification programs, non-agricultural skills training, and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) assistance programs can be an alternative solution for farmers who want to switch to other sectors.
Implement a Pro-Petani Policy
Increasing the purchase price of grain and spatial policy that protects paddy fields from the conversion of functions is an important step in supporting agricultural sustainability.
The conversion of the function of paddy fields in Sunggal Kanan Village shows a dilemma between economic needs and environmental sustainability. Improving the welfare of farmers, preserving paddy fields, and maintaining food security is a big challenge that needs to be overcome together.
Q: What are the main factors that contribute to the conversion of paddy fields into non-agricultural land?
A: The main factors that contribute to the conversion of paddy fields into non-agricultural land include age, education, farming experience, number of family dependents, land productivity, and land area.
Q: How does age affect the conversion of paddy fields?
A: Older farmers tend to be more easily tempted to sell their land because they find it difficult to manage paddy fields intensively. As farmers age, they may experience physical limitations that make it challenging to maintain their land.
Q: What is the role of education in the conversion of paddy fields?
A: A higher level of education opens opportunities for farmers to find alternative jobs in the non-agricultural sector. This can lead to a decrease in the number of farmers who continue to work on their paddy fields.
Q: How does farming experience affect the conversion of paddy fields?
A: Ironically, old farming experience can actually trigger the desire to sell land. Farmers who have long farmed may feel tired with tiring and less profitable jobs, so they choose to switch to other businesses.
Q: What is the impact of land productivity on the conversion of paddy fields?
A: Land that is less productive due to various factors such as land degradation, lack of water access, and disease pests, can make farmers lose motivation to continue to work on land.
Q: How does land area affect the conversion of paddy fields?
A: Farmers with relatively small land tend to be more easily tempted to sell their land because the profits derived from farming are considered not comparable to the costs and energy incurred.
Q: What is the economic impact of land conversion on farmers?
A: The T test results show that farmers' income significantly decreased after land conversion, with an average decrease of Rp. 2,084,176 per month.
Q: What are the implications of land conversion for the government, community, and farmers?
A: The government needs to pay attention to policies that support the sustainability of paddy fields and encourage increased productivity of agricultural land. The community needs to increase public awareness of the importance of paddy fields as a source of food and the environment. Farmers need to increase their knowledge and skills in managing paddy fields on a sustainable manner.
Q: What are the solutions to overcome land conversion?
A: The government and related parties can provide assistance and training to farmers to increase the productivity of their paddy fields. Agricultural business diversification programs, non-agricultural skills training, and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) assistance programs can be an alternative solution for farmers who want to switch to other sectors.
Q: What is the role of a pro-petani policy in supporting agricultural sustainability?
A: Increasing the purchase price of grain and spatial policy that protects paddy fields from the conversion of functions is an important step in supporting agricultural sustainability.
Q: What are the challenges in overcoming land conversion?
A: Improving the welfare of farmers, preserving paddy fields, and maintaining food security is a big challenge that needs to be overcome together.
Q: What is the future of paddy fields in Sunggal Kanan Village?
A: The future of paddy fields in Sunggal Kanan Village depends on the ability of the government, community, and farmers to work together to address the challenges of land conversion and ensure the sustainability of paddy fields.
Q: What can be done to prevent land conversion?
A: Preventing land conversion requires a comprehensive approach that involves the government, community, and farmers. This can include providing assistance and training to farmers, increasing public awareness of the importance of paddy fields, and implementing policies that support agricultural sustainability.
Q: What are the benefits of preserving paddy fields?
A: Preserving paddy fields can help maintain food security, support rural development, and protect the environment. It can also provide economic benefits to farmers and the community.
Q: What are the consequences of not preserving paddy fields?
A: The consequences of not preserving paddy fields can include food insecurity, rural poverty, and environmental degradation. It can also lead to the loss of traditional farming practices and cultural heritage.